Dual-axis over-molded hinge

ABSTRACT

One aspect is an overmolded hinge device having a first and a second shaft, each having first and second ends. A first friction element is mounted on the first shaft. A first molded housing is at least partially enclosing the first shaft and a second molded housing is at least partially enclosing the second shaft. A first molded outer link is at least partially enclosing each of the first and second shafts and a second molded outer link is at least partially enclosing each of the first and second shafts. One of the first molded housing and the first molded outer link enclose the first friction element

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Non-Provisional patent application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/858,024, filed Jun. 6, 2019, entitled “DUAL-AXIS OVER-MOLDED HINGE,” which is herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

In many applications, it is useful to have friction hinge with a large range of motion. In many of those applications, it is also required that the hinge have an overall compact size and overall profile. Furthermore, it is important in many applications for such hinges to be manufactured with minimum assembly time, part count and overall hinge cost. A combination of such features, however, can be difficult to accommodate. For these and other reasons, there is a need for the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of embodiments and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments and together with the description serve to explain principles of embodiments. Other embodiments and many of the intended advantages of embodiments will be readily appreciated as they become better understood by reference to the following detailed description. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily to scale relative to each other. Like reference numerals designate corresponding similar parts.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an overmolded hinge device in accordance with one embodiment.

FIGS. 2a and 2b illustrate end views of an overmolded hinge device in two positions in accordance with one embodiment.

FIGS. 3a and 3b illustrate perspective views of partial cut-away overmolded hinge devices in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of an overmolded hinge device with injection tool runners in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 5a illustrates a perspective view of an overmolded hinge device in accordance with the prior art.

FIG. 5b illustrates a top view of a prior art overmolded hinge device with injection tool runners.

FIG. 6a-6b illustrate perspective and top plan views of an overmolded hinge device in accordance with one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following Detailed Description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. In this regard, directional terminology, such as “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “back,” “leading,” “trailing,” etc., is used with reference to the orientation of the Figure(s) being described. Because components of embodiments can be positioned in a number of different orientations, the directional terminology is used for purposes of illustration and is in no way limiting. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The following detailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.

It is to be understood that the features of the various exemplary embodiments described herein may be combined with each other, unless specifically noted otherwise.

FIG. 1 illustrates an overmolded hinge device 10 in accordance with one embodiment. In one embodiment, overmolded hinge device 10 includes first molded housing 20, second molded housing 22, first molded outer link 24, and second molded outer link 26. In one embodiment, first molded housing 20 includes a shaft overmold portion 21 a and a bracket portion 21 b, and second molded housing 22 includes a shaft overmold portion 23 a and a bracket portion 23 b. In one embodiment, first molded housing 20 is coupled to first hinged element 12 via its bracket portion 21 b, and second molded housing 22 is coupled to second hinged element 14 via its bracket portion 23 b. In one embodiment, overmolded hinge device 10 provides controlled rotation over a range of 180° of rotation, of first hinged element 12 relative to second hinged element 14.

In one embodiment, overmolded hinge device 10 includes two separate shafts. In one embodiment, one shaft is at least partially contained within first molded housing 20, for example within shaft overmold portion 21 a, and at least partially contained within first and second molded outer links 24, 26. Similarly, one shaft is at least partially contained within second molded housing 22, for example within shaft overmold portion 23 a, and at least partially contained within first and second molded outer links 24, 26.

Using two separate shafts allows for two separate axes of rotation. This is useful in applications requiring a compact hinge design. Furthermore, it can allow a range of 180° of rotation, without having the hinge bump out when folded over on itself and also not project upward when fully extended. Using two shafts within a single device avoids the added cost and space requirements needed for two separate hinges. This configuration allows for flexibility in use.

For example, FIGS. 2a and 2b illustrate overmolded hinge device 10 in two positions. In one embodiment, it may be desired for first and second hinged elements 12, 14 to move between open and closed positions. In one application, first and second hinged elements 12, 14 are panels that are flush on a surface, such as floor. In one embodiment, second hinged element 14 is a movable panel that can be opened over first hinged elements 12, which is fixed. In a fully closed position, illustrated in FIG. 2b , the panels are flush with a surface, such as a floor, and in a fully open position, illustrated in FIG. 2a , one panel is rotated onto the other. If a comparable hinge was used with a single shaft, part of the hinge, near what is labeled 26, would project up from the main surface in FIG. 2b and would project further out to the left in FIG. 2 a.

Because overmolded hinge device 10 includes two separate shafts, one associated with first molded housing 20 and the other associated with second molded housing 22, overmolded hinge device 10 allows first and second hinged elements 12, 14 to achieve both 180° of rotation, such that second hinged element 14 can rest on first hinged element 12 in the fully open position and not project out significantly to the left as illustrated in FIG. 2a , and also achieve a flush configuration when in the fully closed position. In the fully closed position, the flush configuration is where all portions of overmolded hinge device 10 are at or below the topmost surfaces of first and second hinged elements 12, 14. This is a desired configuration, for example, when first and second hinged elements 12, 14 are floor panels and it is important that no portion of overmolded hinge device 10 protrudes up from the floor surface. In one embodiment, in the flush configuration the top surfaces 20 a, 22 a of first and second molded housings 20, 22, and well as the top surfaces 24 a, 26 a of first and second molded outer links 24, 26 (first molded outer link 24 not visible in FIG. 2b ) are flush with the top surfaces 12 a, 14 a of first and second hinged elements 12, 14.

In one embodiment, there is significant weight associated with first and second hinged elements 12, 14. Accordingly, overmolded hinge device 10 includes friction elements to provide sufficient torque for the hinging operation of overmolded hinge device 10. FIGS. 3a and 3b illustrate internal portions of overmolded hinge device 10. In FIGS. 3a and 3b , portions of first molded housing 20, second molded housing 22, first molded outer link 24, and second molded outer link 26 have been partially cut away so that internal parts are visible. Substantially all of shaft overmold portion 21 a of first molded housing 20, substantially all of shaft overmold portion 23 a of second molded housing 22, and the upper half of first and second molded outer links 24, 26 are removed in FIGS. 3a and 3 b.

In one embodiment, overmolded hinge device 10 illustrated in FIGS. 3a and 3b includes first shaft 30, second shaft 32, first friction element 34, and second friction element 36. In one embodiment, first friction element 34 is placed over first shaft 30 in frictional engagement and second friction element 36 is placed over second shaft 32, also in frictional engagement. In one embodiment, each of first and second friction elements 34, 36 are one or more clips placed over the respective shafts 30, 32, such as is described in U.S. Pat. No. RE37,712, which is incorporated herein by reference. The overall torque of overmolded hinge device 10 can be tailored and adjusted by adding or subtracting the number of clips on the respective first and second shafts 30, 32. Producing friction in this way provides consistent torque over the life of the hinge, provides favorable torque density, and provides modularity to adjust torque.

In one embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3a , first friction element 34 includes connection portions or non-round features, which are embedded within shaft overmold portion 21 a of first molded housing 20, such that rotation of first molded housing 20 about first shaft 30 also forces the rotation therewith of first friction element 34. Because first shaft 30 is fixed relative to first friction element 34, torque is generated with the relative rotation. Similarly, second friction element 36 includes connection portions or non-round features that are embedded within shaft overmold portion 23 a of second molded housing 22 such that rotation of second molded housing 22 about second shaft 32 also forces the rotation therewith of second friction element 36. Because second shaft 32 is fixed relative to second friction element 36, torque is generated with the relative rotation. Such overmolding of friction elements is described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,530,123, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Also in one embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3a , each of first and second shafts 30, 32 have knurls 30 a, 30 b, 32 a, 32 b or similar non-round features at their respective ends. In one embodiment, knurls 30 a, 30 b, 32 a, 32 b facilitate holding first shaft 30 fixed relative to first molded housing 20 and holding second shaft 32 fixed relative to second molded housing 22. In one embodiment, knurls 30 a, 32 a at a respective first end of first and second shafts 30, 32 are embedded within first molded outer link 24 and knurls 30 b, 32 b at a respective second end of first and second shafts 30, 32 are embedded within second molded outer link 26. Embedding knurls 30 a, 30 b, 32 a, 32 b in first and second molded outer links 24, 26 holds first and second shafts 30, 32 fixed relative to the rotation of first and second molded housings 20, 22, thereby generating torque by the respective interference between first and second shafts 30, 32 and first and second friction elements 34, 36 during relative rotation.

In one embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3b , first friction element 34 includes connection portions or non-round features, which are embedded within second molded outer link 26, and first shaft 30 include knurls 30 a, which are embedded within shaft overmold portion 21 a of first molded housing 20. As such, the rotation of first molded housing 20 about first shaft 30 also forces the rotation therewith of first shaft 30 within friction element 34, which is held from rotation by second molded outer link 26. Because of the frictional engagement of first friction element 34 and first shaft 30, torque is produced with the rotation. Similarly, second friction element 36 includes connection portions or non-round features, which are embedded within second molded outer link 26, and second shaft 30 include knurls 32 a, which are embedded within shaft overmold portion 23 a of second molded housing 22. As such, the rotation of second molded housing 22 about second shaft 32 also forces the rotation therewith of second shaft 32 within friction element 34, which is held from rotation by second molded outer link 26. Because of the frictional engagement of second friction element 36 and second shaft 32, torque is produced with the relative rotation. In another embodiment, only friction element 34 is used, and/or frictional elements 32, 34 can be divided between first and second molded outer links 24, 26.

In one embodiment, a preassembled torque insert, such as Ti-200 Series Torque Inserts sold by Reell Precision Manufacturing (illustrated and described at http://reell.com/products/torque-inserts), which is incorporated herein by reference, is used in place of the shafts and friction elements described above. In one embodiment, a preassembled torque insert, such as Ti-200 Series, includes one or more torque elements on a shaft with a zinc tubing over the assembly, such that it is designed for plastic overmolding, and will achieve the toque generation for overmolded hinge device 10. The entire torque insert can be overmolded within one or both of the first and second molded housings 20, 22 and within the first and second molded outer links 24, 26.

In one embodiment, an equal number of clips are used for first and second friction elements 34, 36 over each of first and second shafts 30, 32 so that the torque associated with each of first and second shafts 30, 32 is the same. In one embodiment, the number of clips within first and second friction elements 34, 36 is not the same, such that one of first and second shafts 30, 32 carries more clips, so that the torque associated with each of first and second shafts 30, 32 is not the same.

For example, one embodiment may include an application requiring multiple overmolded hinge devices 10. When such a system includes a panel or door large enough to require multiple overmolded hinge devices 10 to control, variation of the amount of clips in first and second friction elements 34, 36 can be beneficial. For example, if first shaft 30 is attached to first hinged element 12, which is fixed, and second shaft 32 is attached to second hinged element 14, which is rotatable, which axis of the hinge rotates is random when the torque on each shaft 30, 32 is equal.

As such, there can be a benefit in specifying a different torque level for each of first and second shafts 30, 32. With lower torque on first shaft 30, for example, each shaft 30, 32 will travel with the moving second hinged element 14 until a stop position is reached. Controlling this sequence maintains a consistent position of the door during movement, not allowing the second hinged element 14, a door or panel, to become skewed and possibly bind. Placement of the unique “torque elements,” that is, a combination of a friction element over a shaft (first friction element 34 and first shaft 30 or second friction element 36 and second shaft 32) within a mold tool can be controlled by positioning the friction elements relative to features in the mold tool, thereby preventing improper assembly.

In one embodiment, only first friction element 34 over first shaft 30 is used, while no friction elements is used over second shaft 32. In this case, second molded housing 22 is just formed directly over second shaft 32, since there is no there is friction element over the shaft. As such, there is little or no torque associated with second shaft 32, which may be useful in some applications. As is apparent, this can be reversed, so that only second friction element 36 over second shaft 32 is used, while no friction elements is used over first shaft 30.

In one embodiment, one or more overmolded hinge devices 10 may be in a system including a large and/or heavy panel or door. In such case, it may be necessary to ensure significant torque is produced by first and second friction elements 34, 36 and first and second shafts 30, 32. For example, a torque range from 1-4 Nm may be needed, and in other applications may need to scale up to 20 Nm. In other applications, it may be appropriate to scale down to 0 torque.

In one embodiment, the configuration of overmolded hinge device 10 provides significant advantages in the manufacturing process. FIG. 4 illustrates a molding process for overmolded hinge device 10. Overmolded hinge device 10 is illustrated within injection tool runners 40. The mold tool has a cavity that defines the shape that overmolded hinge device 10.

In one embodiment, the mold tool defines connection features 60. In many applications, overmolded hinge device 10 is coupled to hinged elements (such as first and second hinged elements 12, 14 in FIG. 1). It is useful in some embodiments to provide bracket portions 21 b, 23 b of first and second molded housings 20, 22 with connection features 60 in order to help facilitate coupling overmolded hinge device 10 to panels, doors and other hinged elements. Such connection features can be built into the tool of the mold, and can be recessed features to accommodate bolts or other similar features.

In one embodiment, a significant advantage allowed by the configuration of overmolded hinge device 10 allows for its manufacturing to be in a single injection cycle or shot. First and second friction elements 34, 36 are assembled over each of first and second shafts 30 and 32, and in one embodiment, a lubricant is introduced between the friction elements 34, 36 and shafts 30 and 32. These friction assemblies are then placed within the mold cavity. A single cycle or shot of mold material then flows over the friction assemblies and forms overmolded hinge device 10. This has the advantage of lower cost compared to the previously alternatives, has less injection mold cycle time, less part handling, less inventory to control, and less assembly time. In one embodiment, the assembly is accomplished without any moving parts within the tool of the mold.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, injection gates 50 a and 50 b inject molding material into a section of the mold cavity to form first molded housing 20, including both shaft overmold portion 21 a and bracket portion 21 b. Injection gates 52 a and 52 b inject molding material into a section of the mold cavity to form second molded housing 22, including both shaft overmold portion 23 a and bracket portion 23 b. Injection gate 54 injects molding material into a section of the mold cavity to form first molded outer link 24. Injection gate 54 injects molding material into a section of the mold cavity to form second molded outer link 26. In one embodiment, because of the relative configuration and proximity of these various section of overmolded hinge device 10, each of these injections can occur in one cycle or shot, at relatively the same time.

Because first and second molded outer links 24, 26 are each located outside both friction overmold portions 21 a, 23 a of first and second molded housings 20, 24, they are readily accessible for injection gates. FIG. 4 illustrates an outer periphery 10 a of overmolded hinge device 10. At least some portion of each of first and second molded housings 20, 22 and each of first and second molded outer links 24, 26 lie on the outer periphery 10 a of overmolded hinge device 10. Accordingly, each are readily accessible and adjacent respective injection gates 50 a, 50 b, 52 a, 52 b, 54 and 56 such that they can all be formed in a single injection cycle.

Such efficiencies in manufacturing and advantageous configuration is not possible with existing designs. For example, FIGS. 5a-5b illustrate an overmolded hinge 70, which suffers from disadvantages in manufacturing that will increase costs and cycle time. Overmolded hinge 70 includes first hinge portion 72, second hinge portion 74 and center hinge portion 76. It includes two shafts, a first shaft having its ends contained within first hinge portion 72 and a second shaft having its ends contained within second hinge portion 74. Each shaft also includes friction elements on the shaft, and each set of friction elements are contained within center hinge portion 76. Because overmolded hinge 70 includes two shafts, it allows favorable rotation range. Also, overmolded hinge 70 has one fewer part (one center hinge portion 76 instead of first and second molded outer links 24, 26), which is why such a “center link” design is considered to be the existing solution. The manufacture of the overmolded hinge 70, however, suffers disadvantages.

As illustrated in FIG. 5b , unlike overmolded hinge device 10 described above, overmolded hinge 70 cannot be formed in a single cycle injection for many applications. Overmolded hinge 70 is illustrated within injection tool runners 80. While injection gates 92 a and 92 b are able to inject molding material into a section of the mold cavity to form first hinge portion 72 and similarly, injection gates 90 a and 90 b are able to inject molding material into a section of the mold cavity to form second hinge portion 74, neither injection gates 94 or 96 are able to inject molding material for center hinge portion 76. This is because center hinge portion 76 is located within first and second hinge portions 72, 74, so there is not access to inject that portion of the part. Furthermore, because the requirements of most applications dictate that hinges are as compact as possible, it is not practical to leave enough space between the hinge portions to allow access for injection gates. Accordingly, the manufacturing of overmolded hinge 70 requires multiples injection cycles, increasing time, cost and possibility for assembly error.

A center axis X₁ and X₂ is illustrated in dashed lines in FIG. 5b for each of the shafts that are contained within overmolded hinge 70. As is apparent, the molded material around the shafts for each of first and second hinge portions 74, 76 necessitate that the first and second hinge portions 74, 76 are too close to each other to allow gates 94 and 96 to get access to center hinge portion 76. While moving center axes X₁ and X₂ apart from each other could potentially allow such access, this defeats the compactness of the design that is needed for many applications. Moving the shafts apart also moves apart the hinged elements to which the hinge 70 is attached, and this is typically not a desired design.

In addition to its manufacturing advantages, the nature of overmolded hinge device 10 allows for a variety of configurations. FIGS. 6a-6b illustrate an alternative overmolded hinge device 110 in accordance with one embodiment. Similar to overmolded hinge device 10 described above, in one embodiment, overmolded hinge device 110 includes first molded housing 120, second molded housing 122, first molded outer link 124, and second molded outer link 126. In one embodiment, first molded housing 120 includes a shaft overmold portion 121 a and a bracket portion 121 b, and second molded housing 122 includes a shaft overmold portion 123 a and a bracket portion 23 b.

Similar to overmolded hinge device 10 described above, in one embodiment, overmolded hinge device 110 includes a first shaft with a first friction element with shaft overmold portion 121 a, and a second shaft with a second friction element shaft overmold portion 123 a. Also like above, one of the shaft may include a friction element, while the other does not.

In one embodiment, first molded housing 120 can be coupled to a hinged element via its bracket portion 121 b, and second molded housing 122 can be coupled to another hinged element via its bracket portion 23 b, with connection features not shown on the underside of the brackets. In one embodiment, overmolded hinge device 110 provides controlled rotation, in one embodiment over 180° of rotation, of one hinged element relative to another.

In one embodiment, overmolded hinge device 110 includes two separate shafts. In one embodiment, one shaft is at least partially contained within first molded housing 120, for example within shaft overmold portion 121 a, and at least partially contained within first and second molded outer links 124, 126. Similarly, one shaft is at least partially contained within second molded housing 122, for example within shaft overmold portion 123 a, and at least partially contained within first and second molded outer links 124, 126. Formation of overmolded hinge device 110 can be done in a mold process as described above for overmolded hinge device 10.

As is evident, the overall shapes of the various portions of overmolded hinge device 110 can be varied. Specifically, each of first molded housing 120, second molded housing 122, first molded outer link 124, and second molded outer link 126 can be configured and tailored for the particular desired application. For example, first and second molded outer links 124, 126 have a u-shaped configuration, which will create a unique rotating profile for first molded housing 120 relative to second molded housing 122. In addition, in some applications it may be useful to uniquely shape bracket portions 121 b, 123 b in order to uniquely mount overmolded hinge device 110 to hinged elements.

In addition to using the friction assemblies within shaft overmold portions 121 a, 123 a, or using just a single friction assembly, a one-way clutch device can be added in order to control sequencing and add value to the hinge in some applications. Adding a one-way clutch provides the functionality of lower operator forces in one direction that can be valuable with heavier doors or panels with horizontal axes. Any of a variety of one-way clutch devices can be used, such as a spring, a sprag, a roller or other similar based devices.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a variety of alternate and/or equivalent implementations may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown and described without departing from the scope of the present invention. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the specific embodiments discussed herein. Therefore, it is intended that this invention be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An overmolded friction hinge device comprising: a first and a second shaft, each having first and second ends; a first friction element mounted on the first shaft and having a lubricating substance trapped between the first friction element and the first shaft; a first molded housing at least partially enclosing the first shaft; a second molded housing at least partially enclosing the second shaft; a first molded outer link at least partially enclosing each of the first and second shafts; and a second molded outer link at least partially enclosing each of the first and second shafts wherein one of the first molded housing and the first molded outer link enclose the first friction element.
 2. The overmolded hinge device of claim 1, wherein the first molded outer link at least partially encloses the first end of each of the first and second shafts, and wherein the second molded outer link at least partially encloses the second ends of each of the first and second shafts.
 3. The overmolded hinge device of claim 1 further comprising a second friction element mounted on the second shaft, wherein one of the second molded housing, first molded outer link, and second molded outer link at least partially encloses the second friction element and the second shaft.
 4. The overmolded hinge device of claim 1, wherein the first molded housing does not enclose any portion of the second shaft and wherein the second molded housing does not enclose any portion of the first shaft.
 5. The overmolded hinge device of claim 1, wherein the first and second ends of each of the first and a second shafts comprise knurls.
 6. The overmolded hinge device of claim 3, wherein the first and second molded housings each comprise a shaft overmold portion and a bracket portion, the shaft overmold portion of the first and second molded housings respectively enclosing the first and second friction elements.
 7. The overmolded hinge device of claim 6, wherein the shaft overmold portion of the first and second molded housings respectively enclose the first and second friction elements such that the first friction element must rotate with the first molded housing and the second friction element must rotate with the second molded housing.
 8. The overmolded hinge device of claim 6, wherein the bracket portion of the first and second molded housings are respectively configured to be mounted to a first and a second hinged element.
 9. The overmolded hinge device of claim 6, wherein each of the shaft overmold portions of the first and second molded housings are between the first and second molded outer links, and are immediately adjacent thereto.
 10. The overmolded hinge device of claim 3, wherein each of the first and second friction elements comprise a plurality of clips.
 11. The overmolded hinge device of claim 10, wherein the number of clip in the plurality of clips on the first shaft is not the same as the number of clip in the plurality of clips on the second shaft.
 12. The overmolded hinge device of claim 1 further comprising a one-way clutch on at least one of the first and second shafts.
 13. The overmolded hinge device of claim 1, wherein the overmolded hinge device comprises an outer periphery and wherein at least a portion of each of the first and second molded housings and the first and second molded outer links lie on the outer periphery the overmolded hinge device.
 14. A method of forming an overmolded hinge device comprising: providing a first and a second shaft, each having first and second ends; mounting a first friction element on the first shaft to form a friction assembly; placing the friction assembly into a mold cavity; forming a first molded housing at least partially enclosing the first shaft; forming a second molded housing at least partially enclosing and the second shaft; forming a first molded outer link at least partially enclosing each of the first and second shafts; and forming a second molded outer link at least partially enclosing each of the first and second shafts; wherein one of the first molded housing and the first molded outer link at least partially enclose the first friction element.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the forming of first molded housing, the second molded housing, the first molded outer link, and the second molded outer link is done with injection molding with a single cycle of injection.
 16. The method of claim 14 further comprising forming the first molded outer link such that it at least partially encloses the first end of each of the first and second shafts, and forming the second molded outer link such that it at least partially encloses the second ends of each of the first and second shafts.
 17. The method of claim 14 further comprising mounting a second friction element on the second shaft and forming one of second molded housing, the first molded outer link, or the second molded outer link over the second friction element.
 18. The method of claim 14 further comprising forming the first and second molded housings such that each comprise a shaft overmold portion and a bracket portion, the shaft overmold portion of the first and second molded housings respectively enclosing the first and second friction elements.
 19. The method of claim 18 further comprising forming the shaft overmold portion of the first and second molded housings respectively enclosing the first and second friction elements such that the first friction element must rotate with the first molded housing and the second friction element must rotate with the second molded housing.
 20. The method of claim 18 further comprising forming the first and second molded outer links such that they are located on either side of the friction overmolded portion of the first and second molded housings, and are immediately adjacent thereto.
 21. An overmolded friction hinge device comprising: at least one torque insert comprising a first shaft, at least one friction element mounted on the first shaft and having a lubricating substance trapped between the first friction element and the first shaft, and a tubing over the at least one friction element and the first shaft; a second shaft; a first molded housing enclosing the at least one torque insert; a second molded housing at least partially enclosing the second shaft; a first molded outer link at least partially enclosing each of the first and second shafts; and a second molded outer link at least partially enclosing each of the first and second shafts. 